Strange things that give you a kind of "ick" in everyday life

[CariahMary]

I don't mean getting the "ick" about a sexual or romantic partner. And I don't mean being put-off by things that are actually pretty grim. I mean random things that you inexplicably find a bit off-putting in everyday life.

For me, I get a kind of "ick" when I read other people talking about food on forums MN I honestly had no idea why. It's so odd, I really like reading food descriptions in books but in forums I find it really off-putting.

In the real-world, I also really hate opening other people's fridges. They always smell weird (different from my own). I have to hold my breath.

Licking fingers and repetitive throat clearing.

A few years ago I went for a curry with friends who brought their recently returned from gap year daughter who had predictably gone a bit new age hippy during her travels. She proceeded to not use any cutlery, opting to go fingers only. Scooping food out of various bowls straight into her mouth. Apparently that's how they ate in India so was 'authentic'. We are not India young lady and get your fucking grubby fingers away from my food.

I'm so with you on this. Forks too.

The word “Eclectic” 🤢

Men chatting me up that I really don't fancy, and getting too close and personal.

For example last night I was having a quiet drink with a friend in our local, when a drunk guy I used to chat to who worked in a local charity shop came over to me and gave me a great big hug, shook my hand and wouldn't leave go until I pulled it away, then when I politely got up to leave (to get away from him) proceeded to grab me again and give me a goodbye kiss on my cheek. Gross and I was walking home cringing and and just felt really grubby.

Walking barefoot on a wet floor,like at a swimming pool. Makes me cringe.

My teenage sons toenails.

@browser2025 When I was 4 I hid under the table and touched my mum's bare leg with a piece of wet bread as she walked by. She fainted! Decades later she still grimaced and remembered the horrible feeling of it. She said it was one of the worst feelings she'd ever felt, like something 'unholy'! 😆

People who make their addresses unnecessarily long.

Made up house name
32 Ordinary Street
Smart area
City / Town
Postcode

Then get funny (to the point of mentioning it) when you address their Christmas card to them at

32 Ordinary Street
City / Town
Postcode

I agree (and am M..) Thing is, I do have some flip flops which I would wear on holiday eg in Cyprus. I wouldn't bother in UK.

My own feet are not amazing - quite wide, so, to get FF that fit they probably are a bit long.

I am a bit jealous of men who have nicer looking feet and can were flip flops that fit well..

But, also, should I spend my whole life wearing long trousers and brogues because I'm not thrilled by how my legs and feet look?

As a teen I wore long sleeves, long trousers and struggled to even take my top off at the beach.

I am trying to let go of some of these insecurities..

People who try to pass their food on to me. It’s fine if they can’t finish but I don’t want to be repeatedly coaxed to eat someone else’s potato when give just eaten lunch or dinner.

People who invite me to something but, when I say “I’d love to but unfortunately I’m doing XYZ” won’t leave it alone and keep suggesting ways I could do both.

I have a new one. My husband does a fitness bootcamp and calls the PT that runs it Coach. Everytime he says it, I almost heave!! 🤮

It really helps if you keep your toenails trimmed and exfoliate the hard skin off, maybe moisturise your feet regularly. Oh, and try and get some sun on them as early in the season as possible so they're not fish belly white (if you're indeed white).

Do that, and your feet will look nicer than 90% of other men's, whatever the shape.

wonky pronged forks

Raw mushrooms with long bendy stalks make me feel queasy. Think it's because they look like misshapen toes.

Came here to say this! If I ever won the lottery I would have a private pool - love swimming but hate public pools 😂

Long frizzy beards.
Long fingernails on men.
Over long finger nails on women if they are covered in nail art or jewels.
People picking their nose in public.
Facial tattoos.
Neck tattoos.
People sneezing and not using a tissue/handkerchief.
Slate plates or unglazed plates.

Unisex toilets too. Always make me feel sick. I avoid if possible.

Adults who refer to their aunties and uncles as auntie or uncle instead of just using their name. For example ‘ hi auntie Pauline’ . Knocks me sick and sounds creepy as hell

All my Northern family do this. Apparently I upset some of them by dropping aunty/uncle at around age 11! They also say 'our' + name as the whole name (like Our Bob) which I find quite sweet

@40andlovelife not nearly as irksome as people who call their parents' friendship group auntie and uncle when they aren't related.

Me too. Who came up with this idea? It is absolutely rank, especially in bars/clubs when all the men have had a few drinks. Makes me shudder.

Female DJ’s who use a weird ASMR voice when talking about something bland and I can hear the spit moving around their mouth. Just talk normally ffs.

Thought of another one this evening - the smell from micro rice packets. DS uses them when he 'cooks'. The smell makes me want to barf

Going to use a hand towel in the bathroom and finding it wet from previous users